NYPD Opens Investigation as Weinstein‘s Future at the Academy, Cannes Looks Bleak
In the wake of multiple sexual assault and harassment allegations, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has released a statement calling Harvey Weinstein’s behavior “repugnant,” and has scheduled an emergency weekend meeting.
“The Academy finds the conduct described in the allegations against Harvey Weinstein to be repugnant, abhorrent and antithetical to the high standards of the Academy and the creative community it represents,” the Wednesday statement reads, per The Hollywood Reporter. “The Board of Governors will be holding a special meeting on Saturday, October 14, to discuss the allegations against Weinstein and any actions warranted by the Academy.” THR notes that the possibility of ousting Weinstein may be slim, as it would set a precedent for others in Hollywood who have been accused of similar conduct, from Roman Polanski to Bill Cosby — who are still on the rolls, the publication confirmed.
Perhaps more seriously, the New York Police Department has officially opened a criminal investigation into Weinstein, and asked for any additional information in a statement to THR:
Based on information referenced in published news reports the NYPD is conducting a review to determine if there are any additional complaints relating to the Harvey Weinstein matter. No filed complaints have been identified as of this time and as always, the NYPD encourages anyone who may have information pertaining to this matter to call the CrimeStoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS.
Meanwhile, the director and president of the Cannes Film Festival released a joint statement on Thursday:
We have been dismayed to learn of the accusations of harassment and sexual violence recently leveled against Harvey Weinstein, a film professional whose activity and success are well known to all. They have led him to make frequent visits to Cannes over many years, with numerous films selected at the International Film Festival, at which he has been a familiar figure. These actions point to a pattern of behavior that merits only the clearest and most unequivocal condemnation. Our thoughts go out to the victims, to those who have had the courage to testify and to all the others. May this case help us once again to denounce all such serious and unacceptable practices.
The British government is also under pressure by multiple politicians to strip Weinstein of his Commander of the British Empire honor, which he was awarded in 2004 for his contributions to the U.K. film industry. Back home, Twitter yet again came under fire for temporarily suspending Rose McGowan’s account following her tweets about Weinstein and Ben Affleck. She posted a message to her Instagram account shortly after midnight after she was temporarily banned from tweeting for a period of 12 hours for violating one of Twitter’s community rules.
It wasn’t clear which of her tweets was deemed suspension-worthy by Twitter. Twitter confirmed that her account had been un-suspended as of 10:20 AM Thursday morning.